SCRAP fly-tipping campaign comes to Sprowston

A campaign to help fight the blight of fly-tipping in Norfolk is coming Sprowston.

The award-winning SCRAP fly-tipping campaign comes to Tesco Boar Lane on Friday 22 February, offering help and advice on the legal disposal of waste.

Created in Hertfordshire and now in force in counties across England, SCRAP reminds people to check their waste is being taken away for disposal by a licensed carrier, by checking for a Waste Carriers License or looking the company up on the Environment Agency website.

Working together with Norfolk Police, the Environment Agency, the NFU and the CLA, the campaign is being delivered locally by the Norfolk Waste Partnership, which is made up of the eight councils in the county.

Following a launch in Norwich on 31 January, the SCRAP fly-tipping campaign is now being taken across the districts, giving people the chance to find out more about what their options and responsibilities are when disposing of their waste and reminding them of their duty of care.

Officers from Broadland District Council will be at Tesco on Boar Lane on Friday 22 February at 11am with a mock fly-tip, offering advice on everything from checking for a Waste Carrier’s License to reporting fly-tipping.

Cllr John Fisher, said:

“Fly-tipping is something we all dislike – it is hugely detrimental to our beautiful area in Broadland and beyond. This campaign highlights the many ways we can come together to prevent it. Make sure you know where your waste is going – the householder duty of care means your waste is your responsibility and you could receive an unlimited fine. There are lots of ways people can legally dispose of their waste, such as using neighbourhood recycling banks or recycling centres. "

People can avoid an unlimited fine by following the SCRAP code:

S = Suspect ALL waste carriers
C = Check with the Environment Agency on that the provider taking your waste away is licensed
R = Refuse unexpected offers to have waste taken away
A = Ask what will happen to your waste
P = Paperwork should be obtained – get a full receipt

Roger Thomas from the Environment Agency, said:

“People who fly-tip have no respect for the environment and no regard for the consequences to you if you are found guilty of a waste offence. Don’t give your waste to anyone you haven’t checked out on the Environment Agency website. Alternatively you can call our National Customer Contact Centre on 03708 506506 who will check for you. A legitimate operator should be happy to provide you with a waste carrier number. If you believe the waste service offered to you is illegal you can report this anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.”

PC Dave Armstrong of Norfolk Constabulary said:

“Fly-tipping is an offence: one that poses a risk to people and the environment. This campaign offers practical and helpful advice on how people can dispose of their unwanted items and stay on the right side of the law. We would encourage members of the public to contact their local council if they have any concerns about the issue in the area.”

NFU Norfolk County Adviser John Newton, said:

“Fly tipping is harming Norfolk’s beautiful countryside, posing a danger to wildlife and livestock and costing farmers and landowners time and money to clear away. We’re pleased it is being tackled in partnership with the police, local authorities and other organisations. The key message of the SCRAP campaign is that the public can make a real difference by ensuring their waste is disposed of responsibly.”

“Fly-tipping is a crime that blights the Norfolk countryside and this campaign will hopefully raise awareness of simple steps members of the public can take to ensure their waste doesn’t end up in a field or on a roadside verge. It is not only local councils that have to pick up the bill for clearing fly-tipped waste. Private landowners are responsible for removing rubbish dumped on their land and picking up the bill for doing so, which can often run into hundreds of pounds each time. With nearly 1-million incidents of fly-tipping nationally last year action is clearly needed to combat this issue.”

Find out more information about the campaign, fly-tipping and legal ways to get rid of unwanted items at Norfolk Recycles.